Gardening

If your greenery is looking yellow, blame all the rain

It doesn't seem like that long ago we were trying to figure out ways to keep our thirsty plants alive. But now, after all the recent rain, some of my plants are showing signs of too much water.

Some leaves on my peach trees turned yellow from the constantly saturated soil, and even some coleus showed signs of wilting from too much moisture.

The rain yellowed foliage on my orchid plants, and they all could use a good fertilizing right now. Orchids aren't the only plants in this dilemma. After all the rain, any nutrients you added earlier in the season have leached out. Fertilize everything now to encourage new growth, flowering and green foliage color.

This is also a good time to think about planting fall vegetables. I bought a couple of tomato plants and put each one in a big pot. Using a good soil really does make a difference in the health of the plants, and so I purchase a bagged, enriched soil that includes fertilizer. It does cost more, but it is worth it in the end. After the tomatoes quit producing, I recycle the soil by dumping it into my flower beds.

If you don't have an area specifically for vegetables, you can still grow a few for your family. Look for spots in your beds to tuck in a few fall vegetables. You don't have to prepare a separate bed for vegetables; many are happy living among your ornamentals. These include lettuce, radishes, carrots, bush beans, onions, peppers and tomatoes. Some of the spreading vegetables such as squash or cucumber may take up too much room to be practical, but many of these traditional space hogs have more compact varieties available now. Or you can offer them support and grow vertically.

I find that the fruits and vegetables picked from my yard always seem to taste better. Herbs are another addition that will add a fresh taste to your cooking. Between now and the end of October, you can add almost any herb to your garden. Just be aware that some need more sunlight and water than others. Rosemary, for example, requires lots of sun and likes to be kept on the dry side. When I first planted my large rosemary shrub, the surrounding plants were small. But now they've grown, and the rosemary is struggling in the shade.

My fall list of herbs to plant always includes basil (usually sweet, purple and lemon), oregano, parsley, sage (two or three kinds), thyme (which also likes it dry and disappeared this summer from too much rain) and dill. I usually end up grabbing a few more when I'm at the garden store.

The location I've used for herbs in the past has gotten quite shady, as a maple has grown, so they will be moved to a bed in the southeast corner of the yard. The soil in this bed has not been amended as much as other areas in the yard, so I will add organic material before I plant the herbs. Some compost and aged manure will improve the soil and get the herbs off to a good start. In general, if herbs are growing in good soil, they need little fertilizer, just a couple of applications during the growing season.

One of the best things you can do for herbs is use them. Pinching and pruning the plants keeps them in good shape and actively growing. Even if you don't use them in your kitchen, pinch them back every couple of weeks.

Fall planting of vegetables, annuals, perennials and ornamentals is not too far off. Take a look around your yard and see what you want to add, while assessing which plants are past their prime.

- Mary Collister of Valrico writes about how to garden successfully in Florida's climate and offers problem-solving tips for your home garden. Mail questions to: Mary Collister, North of Tampa, 14358-B N Dale Mabry Blvd., Tampa, FL 33618.

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